2016 NRL- Grand Final - how it goes

This Sunday evening the 2016 NRL season comes to an end with the Cronulla Sharks
facing off against the Melbourne Storm at ANZ Stadium.

The facts

Melbourne Storm will be competing in their sixth Grand Final in eleven
years, winning three and losing two

Cronulla Sharks last played a Grand Final in 1997

Cronulla have not beaten Melbourne away from home since round 2, 2008

Cronulla have not scored a try in the opening 20 minutes of their past
five matches

James Maloney becomes the seventh player to play in grand finals with three
different teams

Been there done that!

Having played five Grand Finals in eleven years the Storm have arguably
the best two players over the past decade in two of the most significant positions
on the footy field in Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk. These two seasoned campaigners
bring big-game experience and composure that produces results in grand finals.

The Sharks haven't played a Grand Final since 1997, however James Maloney,
Michael Ennis, Chris Heighington, Matt Prior, Luke Lewis and Ben Barba have
all appeared in grand finals with previous clubs.

How it plays out

The Sharks have been slow out of the blocks in recent times and can't
afford to give up an early lead. If the Storm were to find an early lead of
say 8 points or more the Sharks will find it very difficult to pull back that
margin.

If the Storm get out to a two try lead they'll revert to the style of
footy they know best in those situations and bore the Sharks to death, which
could easily frustrate the Sharks and lead to unforced errors, especially from
their inexperienced backs.

Ben Barba and James Maloney hold the key to the Sharks' success. We know the
Sharks' forwards will show up early, and if Barba and Maloney can make good
use of their impact, strap yourselves in - we'll be in for a contest to eclipse
the nail-biting finale to the 2015 NRL season.

The Storm will be led around the park by Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk. They
will most likely pick up three or four repeat sets, take two points when it's
on offer and score two or three tries. The question is, will Maloney and Barba
step up in attack to match them?